Motel 6 to appeal Braintree license revocation

The company plans to go to court to overturn a board of health decision to revoke the operating license of its Union Street motel.

Fred Hanson The Patriot Ledger @Fhanson_Ledger

BRAINTREE – Motel 6 plans to go to court to overturn the revocation of its operating license.

The Union Street motel planned to reopen early Saturday morning, but without the nightly police detail that has been in place for years. The motel has been closed voluntarily since June 1, after requesting a continuance of a board of health disciplinary hearing.

In a statement, a Motel 6 corporate spokesman said the company is “disappointed” by the health board’s unanimous decision to revoke the motel’s operating license.

The motel has worked closely with local authorities to accommodate the town’s demands and requirements, said Raiza Rehkoff, director of public relations and Latin American Marketing for Motel 6’s corporate parent, G6 Hospitality LLC of Carrollton, Texas.

“Motel 6 intends to appeal the board’s decision in court and defend its right to operate the hotel,” Rehkoff said.

The health board’s unanimous decision was based on the large number of police calls to the motel, including the May 5 shooting of Braintree patrol officer Donald Delaney, who was part of a group of five officers who were trying to serve an arrest warrant on a guest at the hotel. The guest was later found dead inside the room.

Delaney and the other four officers have been on paid administrative leave while an investigation into the incident is continuing.

Under state law, the board was required to give the hotel five days’ notice before the license is revoked.

Police Chief Paul Shastany said Friday that the hotel planned to reopen early Saturday morning. It also canceled police details that have been in place as part of a 2009 agreement with the town.

“I’m not surprised, based on what happened (Thursday) night,” Shastany said of the decision to cancel the details. “It’s like a child pouting.”

On Thursday, Motel 6 officials offered to upgrade security at the location, including building a wall around the 2-acre property.